On Wednesday morning, the House approved the legislation with a vote of 209-197. Despite the threat of a veto from the White House, the GOP conference is determined to pass 12 annual spending bills before the August recess. The measure gained support from four Democrats, while two Republicans voted against it.
Lawmakers do not expect the bills to progress and anticipate the approval of a stopgap funding bill that will extend funding beyond the upcoming November elections.
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The funding allocated for the VA amounts to over $337 billion, with a significant portion of it, approximately one-third, earmarked for medical care for veterans. Additionally, more than $17 billion has been set aside for military construction and family housing by the Defense Department.
“We are fulfilling our promise to veterans by fully funding their health care and benefits as stated in the bill. These brave men and women have rightfully earned these benefits, and it’s our duty to provide them.”
Despite the fact that the bill proposes several changes, Democrats have expressed strong opposition towards it. They argue that a rider included in the bill would impede the VA from implementing a new Biden administration regulation that expands veterans’ access to abortion counseling and abortions in specific situations.
Democrats are also putting their focus on other riders that they claim would hinder the VA’s capability to introduce diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, these riders would prevent people from receiving gender-affirming care and implement other restrictions, according to the Democrats.
Earlier this week, the funding plan faced opposition from the Biden administration, which cited similar measures and criticized Republicans for including numerous partisan policy provisions with devastating consequences. The administration accused Republicans of wasting time with partisan bills, thereby suggesting that such bills are counterproductive.
With a narrow majority, the House GOP leadership is determined to clear all of its partisan funding bills in the coming weeks, and the passage of the bill serves as a significant victory for them.
